Related Articles

Perhaps the most famous parcel of land on Earth, the Holy Land is a sacred area for Jews, Christians and Muslims. A popular destination for religious pilgrimages, the area attracts worshippers and tourists from all over the world. The volatile political situation in the region makes it necessary for visitors to check travel warnings from the U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs before traveling to this part of the world.

Background

The Holy Land, an area that encompasses Israel and parts of Jordan, the Palestinian territories and Lebanon, holds religious significance in the Christian, Muslim and Jewish faiths. The city of Jerusalem, the capital of Israel, is the spiritual center of Judaism. The Western Wall in Old City Jerusalem is a gathering place for Jewish worshipers to pray and reflect. The city of Bethlehem (in the Palestinian West Bank) is important to Christians as the birthplace of Jesus. Muslims believe that Muhammad ascended into heaven from the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Old City Jerusalem. Many sites in the Holy Land are mentioned in the Old Testament, the Torah and the Qur'an.

Interfaith Tours

A number of companies offer trips to the Holy Land that include all faiths – Muslims, Christians and Jews. Imagine Adventures (imagine-adventures.com) “Peacemakers in the Holy Land Tour” is customized to met the needs of any interfaith tour group. It stops in Jerusalem, Galilee and Bethlehem and features meetings with spiritual advisers who offer their interpretations of Christian prayer, Sufi chants and Kabbalah. A Jewish and Catholic interfaith tour of Jordan and the Holy Land is offered by 206 Tours (pilgrimages.com). A guided tour led by a rabbi and a priest, it includes visits to Nazareth, Galilee, the Dead Sea and Jerusalem.

Self-Guided Catholic Pilgrimage

The Holy Land is filled with sites sacred to Christians, including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre where Jesus was nailed to the cross, the Grotto of the Apostles and Mary’s Tomb in Jerusalem. The Holy Land Pilgrimage (holyland-pilgrimage.org) recommends an eight-day tour that starts with a visit to the Mount of Olives (a mountain ridge that overlooks the city) and the Church of All Nations, which was built to commemorate Jesus's final prayer before crucifixion. Other stops should include the city of Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, as well as a boat ride across the Sea of Galilee to visit a synagogue where Jesus taught.

Tour Packages

Many travel agencies offer secular tours to the Holy Land, with an emphasis on history and sightseeing. Gate 1 Travel (gate1travel.com) features an escorted nine-day tour package to the Holy Land. It includes round-trip airfare from New York to Tel Aviv, Israel; meals; and guided tours on a motor coach. The tour visits Old City Jerusalem; Caesarea, an ancient Roman port; and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. England’s Longwood Holidays (longwoodholidays.co.uk) offers escorted tours of Jerusalem and Nazareth, the childhood home of Jesus.

Jewish Heritage Tours

The Holy Land, specifically the city of Jerusalem and its sacred sites such as the Tomb of King David in Mount Zion and the Western Wall (also known as the “Wailing Wall”), are visited by Jewish pilgrims from all over the world. Shalom Journeys (shalomjourneys.com), based in Miami, Florida, offers four different Jewish Heritage tours, along with customized private car and group tours. The 15-day Jewish Heritage tour includes an optional trip to the historic Jordian city of Petra.

Resources

About the Author

Marianne Moro is a copywriter and journalist based in Hollywood. She has been writing professionally since 1999, specializing in home remodeling, interior decorating, pets, travel and holistic health. Moro was a part-time editor and contributing writer for Remodeleze.com, a home remodeling and decorating website, and has also contributed to the Cutting Chair and Entertainment Today.

Leaf Group is a USA TODAY content partner providing general travel information. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY.